South Africa is well known internationally as one of the crime capitals of the world, which may be an exaggeration by the media, however precautions must be taken.

• Try to stay away from central Johannesburg and townships after dark.
• Try to stay on the main roads and keep to well lit areas.
• Should you be confronted by a thief or hijacker, do NOT resist.
• Do not carry a lot of cash with you.
• Do not display a lot of jewellery or cameras in the street or in your car.
• Make sure valuable items such a bag, laptop, wallet, or cell phone are not visible in your vehicle as breaking windows and stealing from your car is very common.
• Keep your passport and other important documents in a safe place and make sure you have certified copies.
• Always use ATM’s in safe areas such as malls and do not draw money at odd hours.
• Keep the doors of your vehicle locked and your windows rolled up at all times.
• Do not walk around the streets at night.
• Know your route – if you get lost, drive to the nearest police station for directions.
• Join the Automobile Association of South Africa and call them if you have a flat tyre, breakdown or accident, especially at night.
• Make sure you always have enough petrol in your vehicle.
• Be wary of people that approach you for information or offer you something.
• It is not advisable to purchase goods from the hawkers at the intersections.
• Be aware of stationary vehicles in your area and be alert when you enter and leave your property.
• Should be unfortunate to be confronted by a hijacker, comply with is demands. Get out of your vehicle, hand him the keys and do not look him in the eye. Submission may save your life.
• Do not stop ay an accident, alert the police.
• Hijackers often run across the road in front of your car and pretend that you have hit them, or alternatively crash into the back of you. Do not stop your vehicle, drive ahead and call the police while you are driving.
• Never pick up hitchhikers.
• Never leave your luggage unattended.
• Store valuables in hotel’s safe.
• Keep your room locked at all times.
• If someone knocks, first check who it is before opening.
• Keep emergency numbers handy:
  
  

  South African Police Emergency number:	10111
  Metro Police Rescue:	10177
  Emergency using a mobile phone:	112 / 147
  Accidents:	082911
  Fire & Ambulance:	(011) 375 5911
  Fire Brigade:	286 6000 / 999 for emergency

Public phones are coin or card operated. Green phones use cards in denominations of R10 to R200, which may be bought at hotels, post offices and supermarkets. Cell phones may be hired at airports.

Useful numbers: directory assistance - 1023, international - 0909, time - 1026, police flying squad - 10111, ambulance -1022, fire is 1022.

Health and Medical Facilities

Visitors to game parks must take malaria tablets from pharmacies (drug stores). Medical and hospital charges must be paid for immediately. Travel insurance is recommended.

Emergency medical services are widely available country-wide, and airborne medical rescue teams service large cities such as Johannesburg . You must keep your medical aid card with you at all times and a medical aid disc displayed on your car so that in the event of an accident, you or your family members will be taken to private medical facilities.

Banks And Money

Credit Cards: Most major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express) are accepted. They may also be used to draw cash from ATM’s. Petrol may only be purchased either by cash or with a special petrol card.

Customs: Personal effects are allowed in duty free. Visitors may bring goods worth R500.00 and thereafter duty is leveled at 20%.

Foreign exchange: Commercial banks and the bureau de change not the street!

Lost or stolen credit cards
MasterCard:	0800 990 418
American Express:	0860 003 768
Thomas Cook:	0800 998 175
Diners Club:	(011) 358 8598

TAX

Value Added Tax (VAT), currently at 14% is levied on most goods and services – visitors may reclaim VAT on purchases over R250.00 at international points of departure.

Registration with your Embassy

It is important that you register with your Embassy, Consulate or High Commission. Your Embassy will be able to promptly assist you in the event of you losing your passport. The requirements for registering vary, but will include the completion of a form, providing your passport details, address and contact telephone numbers.

Insurance

For the protection of you, your family and your property, it is advisable to take out relevant insurance: Comprehensive motor vehicle insurance, household insurance, all risks insurance (for your personal belongings that you have on your person), personal liability insurance (provides cover against legal liability for bodily injuries to third parties or their property).

Etiquette

The dress code in South Africa is generally casual but there are a few up market restaurants and theatres that require a collar and tie. In restaurants, it is customary to give a 10% tip to the waiter/waitress if the service was adequate and 20% if the service was exceptional. Most restaurants do not add the tip into the meal price.

Smoking

Public Holidays

If a holiday falls on a Sunday, the Monday is observed as a holiday.